What is the Meth Recovery Rate?
Overcoming Meth Addiction: What is the Meth Recovery Rate?
With the opioid crisis making headlines throughout the country, other substance such as meth are often overlooked by the public. Of course, the problem of addiction in the United States doesn’t stop at opioid abuse. Meth remains a highly-abused substance; the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that there were roughly 440,000 current users of meth in 2012. While it is a highly addictive substance, recovery is possible. In this article, we will explore the meth recovery rate and explore how it’s treated in drug rehabs in Tampa.
Meth Addiction Statistics
Meth is a highly addictive stimulant; one of the most addictive substance based on studies performed on lab rats. Similar to cocaine, meth tends to be used several times in a short period as the person gets energized by the effects and crashes shortly afterwards.
Before we look at the meth recovery rate, we will look at the scope of the problem. According to the NSDUH, the addiction and abuse statistics for the United States in 2012 are as follows:
- 1.2 million had abuse the drug in the past year
- There were 133,000 new users of meth for the year
- The average age of abusers was 19.7 years old
- 1 percent of all 8th, 9th, 10th and 12th high school students had tried meth
Meth Recovery Statistics
Meth recovery statistics are similar to all addiction recovery statistics. What’s important to understand is that the physical addiction to meth passes after a week of detox, after which the person is left with the disease of addiction. As a chronic, relapsing mental illness, meth has similar relapse rates to other chronic diseases such as hypertension.
The meth recovery rate for the first year of recovery is 40 to 60 percent. While the meth recovery rate may seem low, it’s important to understand that since the disease a chronic relapsing one, government institutions such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse explain that it may take several treatment attempts before the disease is finally managed properly. However, after the first year and every subsequent year, the rates of relapse drop considerably.
What Causes Relapse?
Even though relapse is common in some cases, it still has causes that can be managed and prevented with the right relapse prevention plan. Some of the most common causes of meth addiction relapse are as follows:
- Stress – The number one cause of relapse is the buildup of stress. When it reaches the tipping point, recovering addicts tend to seek relief by abusing meth.
- Environmental and social triggers – Being in the same place that you used to abuse meth in can be a serious trigger. Peer pressure is another thing that can cause triggers and cravings.
- Negative emotions – Strong emotions such as loneliness or anger can be a trigger to meth abuse when unmanaged.
- Holidays and celebrations – It’s common for people to crave meth during the holidays or a celebratory event.
Meth Recovery Process
While there may be major challenges to becoming clean after a meth addiction, treatment is still highly effective. One of the reasons why people relapse is due to them stopping with their relapse prevention plan that it meant to help them manage their stress, negative emotions, and avoid situations and places that can be a trigger.
The meth recovery process is as follows:
- A medical detox to deal with withdrawal symptoms
- Behavioral therapy
- Counseling
- Relapse prevention skills training
- Addiction education
- Aftercare services
Once the withdrawal symptoms are dealt with, behavior and thinking are changed for the better, and a relapse prevention plan is in place, a meth addict can be helped to stop their abuse of meth
for good.
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Mark is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.